BERKELEY REVIEW scores/discussion

[capn jazz]

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Just like the EK Verbal 101 thread, this is a thread to talk about how you're doing with the TBR passages. I don't know how people are generally going through these, but I'm doing Phase I and II after reading the chapter, and saving Phase III for after I finish all content review.

I'm currently working on Gen Chem.

Chapter 1:
Phase I: 27/41 = 66% = 10
Phase II: 10/20 = 50% = 8 (ouch!)

Chapter 2:
Phase I: 29/37 = 78% = 11
Phase II: 28/33 = 85% = 13

So far I LOVE the book. I hated Gen Chem and I'm enjoying reading this and I really feel like it's helping me grasp the topics. Hopefully future chapters will continue this trend...

Now it's up to you guys! Keep this thread alive!

 

[chem4ever]

Hi everyone!

I'm going to start posting my BR scores here. I'm following the SN2ed 3-month schedule with some modifications. In the beginning, I wasn't recording my scores. * denotes that the score was not recorded. Not sure how to scale the scores so I'm just leaving it as percentages for now.

Format:
chapter: 1st 1/3, 2nd 1/3, last 1/3

Physics
1: *, *
2: *, *
3: *, *

General Chemistry
1: *
2: *
3: *
4: 92%

Organic Chemistry
1: 79%

Biology
1: 85%

 

[AktionPOTENTIAL]

Hi everyone!

I'm going to start posting my BR scores here. I'm following the SN2ed 3-month schedule with some modifications. In the beginning, I wasn't recording my scores. * denotes that the score was not recorded. Not sure how to scale the scores so I'm just leaving it as percentages for now.

Format:
chapter: 1st 1/3, 2nd 1/3, last 1/3

Physics
1: *, *
2: *, *
3: *, *

General Chemistry
1: *
2: *
3: *
4: 92%

Organic Chemistry
1: 79%

Biology
1: 85%

Very nice scores! That Gen. Chem score though? Justifies your name.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

at some of these Electrostatics/Electromagnetism passages. The explanations to at least 3-4 of the first 25 question set problems involve the use of equations that are never even covered in the chapter.

Running into a new equation is a big part of your preparation process. On the actual test, there are going to be a couple things that seem out of context or unclear, and homework passages are designed to have that same thing happen from time to time (about once out of ten questions). It's worth your time to look back at all of those equations and see which ones were actually ones you knew, but in an unfamiliar form, versus which are new and there to mess with you.

Question 2: It is based on Equation 8.5, except now it's written slightly differently. Instead of deltaPE = q(deltaV), it's W = deltaPE = q(deltaV). This builds on chapter 3, where the work done on an object (or particle) is equal to the change in its potential energy, assuming kinetic energy remains constant.

Question 5: It is based on V = IR (Equation 9.7), which doesn't get introduced until the next chapter. Again, it is a little different in that instead of using the familiar V, they instead write it as e (epsilon, the symbol for electromotive force). The other equation (a very weird one: e = BLv) is given in the passage and is there to mess with your head and see if you can deal with it in context.

Question 8: V = Ed. You can get this from combining deltaPE = qV and W = qEd, knowing that deltaPE = Won the particle. The result is qV = qEd, so V = Ed. This is a good one to recall.

Question 13: This isn't an equation as much as an observation of how two variables relate to one another, although the passage presents it as an equation to information overload you. As mass of a DNA strand increases, its migration distance, D, in electrophoresis decreases. The equation is D = a - b(log M), but in no way is it worth memorizing or even thinking about beyond this passage. Know the relationship in terms of common sense though, as that is important.

Question 21: This is based on Coulomb's law (Equation 8.1). This is one to commit to memory.

 

[Sub Rosa]

How are ya'll splitting up the phases in physics?

And is it just me, or are the 25 review questions much easier than the subsequent passages?

 

[Temperature101]

TBR
Format:
chapter: 1st 1/3, 2nd 1/3, last 1/3

Oganic Chemistry:
1: 81%-12, 70%-10
2: 71%-11, 74%-11
3: 75%-11, 68%-10
4: 70%-10, 77%-11
5: 79%-12, 78%-12
6: 78%-12, 53%-8
7: 72%-11

Physics:
1: 62%- 9, 67%-10
2: 71%-11, 62%-9
3: 76%-11, 81%-12
4: 44%- 7, 65%-10
5: 72%-11, 55%-8
6: 82%-12, 81%-12
7: 61%- 9, 71%-11

General Chemistry:
1: 78%-12, 70%-10
2: 84%-12, 56%-8
3: 68%-10, 53%-8
4: 83%-12, 81%-12
5: 71%-11, 58%-9
6: 78%-12, 69%-10
7: 78%-12


Biology:
6: 69%-10, 55%-8
7: 67%-10, 33%-5
8: 48%-7, 54%-8
9: 62%-9, 53%-8
10: 66%-10, 44%-7
1: 45%-7 , 67%-10









TPRH--ICC VR: 30 passages: 53% (6)...

 

[chem4ever]

How are ya'll splitting up the phases in physics?

And is it just me, or are the 25 review questions much easier than the subsequent passages?

I'm doing SN2ed's schedule, so I do every third passage regardless of how it's split up in the books.

I haven't noticed a difference in easiness but then again, for me, they're all jumbled together. I'll keep an eye out though.

 

[katniss09]

ugh this is so frustrating!! I always miss so many on the full length physics exams at the end of each chapter!!! Is anyone else sharing my frustrations here?? I think I understand it and then I end up scoring like 60% on the 70 minute practice problems!! 😡

 

[UoCfin]

REPORTING AVERAGES:
BIO: 7 PASSAGES DONE SO FAR: 60% *PLEASE ADVISE HERE* ( I am doing like 5/7, 4/7,6/8,and a bad one of 3/7---eek)
G-chem: 1 PASSAGE DONE SO FAR: 42.8% *PLEASE ADVISE HERE* (3/7...Incredible mistakes...once i go over the questions am like...noooooooooooo!!!!!!!) This is unacceptable tho..considering the high hopes.
O-CHEM: 2 PASSAGES DONE SO FAR: 80% *RELIEF*

 

[circulus vitios]

Running into a new equation is a big part of your preparation process.

Do you know what happens when you ask a question based on something that has never been covered? You waste a perfectly good question.

Physics book 2 sections 8-10 need to rewritten. As an example, the review section of lenses and mirrors is almost entirely computation. The passage section of lenses and mirrors is almost entirely conceptual. "Learning while testing" doesn't work when there is only 1 question on a new concept. Teach and then test, don't combine the two.

edit: And while I'm on the topic, for the love of god stop splitting up single passages across front and back pages.

 

[chem4ever]

Thanks AktionPOTENTIAL. Section 4 is the acid chapter which is one of my stronger subjects. I have my Analytical Chem course to blame for that 🙂

* denotes that the score was not recorded.
Format:
chapter: 1st 1/3, 2nd 1/3, last 1/3

Physics
1: *, *
2: *, *
3: *, *
4: 83%

General Chemistry
1: *
2: *
3: *
4: 92%

Organic Chemistry
1: 79%
2: 88%

Biology
1: 85%
2: 65%

Verbal
Using EK 101 scale
EK 101:
*, 10

 

[Temperature101]

My test date is May 23rd and it will take me another month to finish content review if I do the 1st 1/3 and the 2nd 1/3 of the remaining chapters of TBR. Should I do only the 1st 1/3 and go on to do FLs and the TPRH-SW?

 

[StudyShy]

My test date is May 23rd and it will take me another month to finish content review if I do the 1st 1/3 and the 2nd 1/3 of the remaining chapters of TBR. Should I do only the 1st 1/3 and go on to do FLs and the TPRH-SW?

Maybe FLs and TPRH-SW. You could even sprinkle in like 1-2 TBR passages daily. You might not even notice it. That way, you could still fit in some of the TBR remaining passages, and it won't feel overwhelming. I'm doing this now with the EK 1001 books.

Or, you can always postpone until June 20th and take the exam with us. 😉

 

[BestDoctorEver]

Maybe FLs and TPRH-SW. You could even sprinkle in like 1-2 TBR passages daily. You might not even notice it. That way, you could still fit in some of the TBR remaining passages, and it won't feel overwhelming. I'm doing this now with the EK 1001 books.

Or, you can always postpone until June 20th and take the exam with us. 😉

double post.....

 

[BestDoctorEver]

Maybe FLs and TPRH-SW. You could even sprinkle in like 1-2 TBR passages daily. You might not even notice it. That way, you could still fit in some of the TBR remaining passages, and it won't feel overwhelming. I'm doing this now with the EK 1001 books.

Or, you can always postpone until June 20th and take the exam with us. 😉

Lol.. It might be hard to find a spot this late....Temp101 should check everyday.

 

[UoCfin]

Book 1 physics = done *except some passages*
Chem section IV is on: 10 more pages.

Sent from my LG-C800 using SDN Mobile

 

[UoCfin]

Ooops...wrong forum...atleast am still doing TBR

Sent from my LG-C800 using SDN Mobile

 

[Sub Rosa]

Anyone else find the final physics chapter (Chapter 10 - Light and Optics) to be very challenging?

 

[Sub Rosa]

I have several of the older TBR exams - the 5-hour paper exam versions. Anyone know how those relate in terms of difficulty?

 

[Temperature101]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TBR
Format:
chapter: 1st 1/3, 2nd 1/3, last 1/3

Oganic Chemistry:
1: 81%-12, 70%-10
2: 71%-11, 74%-11
3: 75%-11, 68%-10
4: 70%-10, 77%-11
5: 79%-12, 78%-12
6: 78%-12, 53%-8
7: 72%-11, 53%-8

Physics:
1: 62%- 9, 67%-10
2: 71%-11, 62%-9
3: 76%-11, 81%-12
4: 44%- 7, 65%-10
5: 72%-11, 55%-8
6: 82%-12, 81%-12
7: 61%- 9, 71%-11
8: 71%-11, 62%-9

General Chemistry:
1: 78%-12, 70%-10
2: 84%-12, 56%-8
3: 68%-10, 53%-8
4: 83%-12, 81%-12
5: 71%-11, 58%-9
6: 78%-12, 69%-10
7: 78%-12, 78%-12
8: 74%11, 68%-10


Biology:
6: 69%-10, 55%-8
7: 67%-10, 33%-5
8: 48%-7, 54%-8
9: 62%-9, 53%-8
10: 66%-10, 44%-7
1: 45%-7 , 67%-10
2:50%-7, 59%-9
3: 76%-11 Finally

TPRH--ICC VR: 30 passages: 53% (6)...
TPR Verbal Reasoning & Writing Review: 79/143 = 55% (6)

Why I am doing so horrible in TBR bio?

 

[StudyShy]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TBR
Format:
chapter: 1st 1/3, 2nd 1/3, last 1/3

Oganic Chemistry:
1: 81%-12, 70%-10
2: 71%-11, 74%-11
3: 75%-11, 68%-10
4: 70%-10, 77%-11
5: 79%-12, 78%-12
6: 78%-12, 53%-8
7: 72%-11

Physics:
1: 62%- 9, 67%-10
2: 71%-11, 62%-9
3: 76%-11, 81%-12
4: 44%- 7, 65%-10
5: 72%-11, 55%-8
6: 82%-12, 81%-12
7: 61%- 9, 71%-11

General Chemistry:
1: 78%-12, 70%-10
2: 84%-12, 56%-8
3: 68%-10, 53%-8
4: 83%-12, 81%-12
5: 71%-11, 58%-9
6: 78%-12, 69%-10
7: 78%-12

Biology:
6: 69%-10, 55%-8
7: 67%-10, 33%-5
8: 48%-7, 54%-8
9: 62%-9, 53%-8
10: 66%-10, 44%-7
1: 45%-7 , 67%-10
2: 50%-7

******Why I am doing so horrible in TBR bio?

Totally normal. 🙂

 

[Temperature101]

Totally normal. 🙂

Averaging 50%+ in TBR biology is normal! Since I am doing so horrible in TBR bio, I am hoping that my MCAT has a lot of Ochem ( though I hate Ochem) so I have a shot to get 10+.... TBR bio is really destroying my confidence.

 

[StudyShy]

Averaging 50%+ in TBR biology is normal! Since I am doing so horrible in TBR bio, I am hoping that my MCAT has a lot of Ochem ( though I hate Ochem) so I have a shot to get 10+.... TBR bio is really destroying my confidence.

You totally rock at ochem. I am way jelly. I'll trade you my biology scores for your ochem scores! 🙂

 

[Sarvish]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TBR
Format:
chapter: 1st 1/3, 2nd 1/3, last 1/3

Oganic Chemistry:
1: 81%-12, 70%-10
2: 71%-11, 74%-11
3: 75%-11, 68%-10
4: 70%-10, 77%-11
5: 79%-12, 78%-12
6: 78%-12, 53%-8
7: 72%-11

Physics:
1: 62%- 9, 67%-10
2: 71%-11, 62%-9
3: 76%-11, 81%-12
4: 44%- 7, 65%-10
5: 72%-11, 55%-8
6: 82%-12, 81%-12
7: 61%- 9, 71%-11

General Chemistry:
1: 78%-12, 70%-10
2: 84%-12, 56%-8
3: 68%-10, 53%-8
4: 83%-12, 81%-12
5: 71%-11, 58%-9
6: 78%-12, 69%-10
7: 78%-12

Biology:
6: 69%-10, 55%-8
7: 67%-10, 33%-5
8: 48%-7, 54%-8
9: 62%-9, 53%-8
10: 66%-10, 44%-7
1: 45%-7 , 67%-10
2: 50%-7

Why I am doing so horrible in TBR bio?

Which version of TBR do you have? I have the one I ordered at the beginning of this year and the score conversions don't match up at all. Did they make it easier by any chance since a 45% corresponds to a 4 in my book for bio. :/

 

[Temperature101]

Which version of TBR do you have? I have the one I ordered at the beginning of this year and the score conversions don't match up at all. Did they make it easier by any chance since a 45% corresponds to a 4 in my book for bio. :/

I have the latest version...They don't have a score conversion scale in their biology books. However, they do have one in Gen Chem. They take the decimal percentage and multiply it by 15. For instance, 45% is 0.45x15 = 7 in their Gen Chem books....That is how they calculate their score. TBR is hard...The latest chapter (Cardiovascular and Respiratory system) that I got 50% on...I did a Kaplan sectional test on that chapter, and I did much better (72%) and many on SDN said these Kaplan sectional tests are much more representative to actual test. But still I am worried because I would feel much better getting 65%+ average in TBR bio.

 

[Sarvish]

I have the latest version...They don't have a score conversion scale in their biology books. However, they do have one in Gen Chem. They take the decimal percentage and multiply it by 15. For instance, 45% is 0.45x15 = 7 in their Gen Chem books....That is how they calculate their score. TBR is hard...The latest chapter (Cardiovascular and Respiratory system) that I got 50% on...I did a Kaplan sectional test on that chapter, and I did much better (72%) and many on SDN said these Kaplan sectional tests are much more representative to actual test. But still I am worried because I would feel much better getting 65%+ average in TBR bio.

Hmm, that's odd. My books have copyright 2013 in the front cover so I'm quite sure they're the latest and all the bio sections have score conversions.

Chapter 1 says
86-100 >=12
79-85 10-11
65-78 8-9
59-64 7
54-58 6
48-53 5
0-47 <=4

Chapter 2 and 3 have the same score conversion so I assume it's the same for all of them

Just checked my G-Chem book and it says
84-100 13-15
66-83 10-12
47-65 7-9
34-46 4-6
1-33 1-3

 

[StephanieZ]

I just started working with BR physics after finding EK physics to be severely lacking. I'm trying to do the SN2ed method of doing every third passage or discrete question, and so far my scores are:
Chapter 1 - 85% 12-13
Chapter 2 - 61% 9
Chapter 3 - 86% 13

So far so good, BUT I've been doing them with no time limit, and right after I complete the chapter, so the scores are likely inflated. I'll probably come closer to my true score after I wait a week or so and come back to do the second set of thirds. I've been working through the chapters pretty quickly, but I feel like I'm much weaker in the second half of physics than the first, so I expect an uphill battle for Part 2.

I'm going to do chapter 4 tonight to see how I fare. Happy studying, everyone!

 

[Temperature101]

Hmm, that's odd. My books have copyright 2013 in the front cover so I'm quite sure they're the latest and all the bio sections have score conversions.Chapter 1 says
86-100 >=12
79-85 10-11
65-78 8-9
59-64 7
54-58 6
48-53 5
0-47 <=4

Chapter 2 and 3 have the same score conversion so I assume it's the same for all of them

Just checked my G-Chem book and it says
84-100 13-15
66-83 10-12
47-65 7-9
34-46 4-6
1-33 1-3

I would have to check it again...Dont have the book with me now.
Edit... I checked my BR bio and saw the scale. The bio scale is harsher though.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Figured I should put some of the tricks that were posted in different places here, where people using the books could find them. I am including a correlation between the page in the latest BR book and the trick.

Log Math Trick
The Know Your Primes Method
This correlates with pages 256 - 259 of General Chemistry I​

First and foremost, you should always look at the answer choices and see how much precision you need. If the answers are far apart, then you can afford to make less rigorous approximations. But if they are close to one another, as they could be from time-to-time, then precision is necessary.

For determining pH from [H⁺], or any other conversion that involves taking a negative log, we use the following relationship.

- log (a x 10^-b) = b - log a​

This is applicable for pH, pOH, pK_a, and pK_b.

Next we teach the know your primes approach. Know the following four logs for approximating a best answer:

log 2 = 0.30
log 3 = 0.48
log 5 = 0.70
log 7 = 0.85​

Because prime numbers can be multiplied together to get other numbers, if you need precision you can build from those numbers. And the prime numbers between 1 and 10 will give you the necessary precision to make a good choice on 99.9999999% of the MCAT questions you'll see.

Given K_a = 4.61 x 10^-7; pK_a = 7 - log 4.61 which is slightly larger than 7 - log 5 = 6.3. So guessing around 6.33 +/- is going to be as much precision as you could need on the MCAT.

Given [OH^-] = 2.77 x 10^-4; pOH = 4 - log 2.77 which is slightly larger than 4 - log 3 = 3.52 but not as large as 4 - log 2 = 3.7. So guessing around 3.56 +/- is closer than you will likely need.

Given [H⁺] = 7.93 x 10^-3; pH = 3 - log 7.93 which is slightly smaller than 3 - log 7 = 2.15. So guessing around 2.11 +/- is good enough. This is where the proponents of precision will say that knowng 3 - log 8 = 2.10 gets you a more accurate answer. And I can't deny that 2.10 is closer to 2.097 than 2.11, but if the MCAT choices are so close that 2.10 beats 2.11, then the test would have changed so much you would have heard someone complain about log details.

Given K_b = 6.11 x 10^-8; pK_b = 8 - log 6.11 which is larger than 8 - log 7 = 7.15, but less than 8 - log 5 = 7.3. So guessing around 7.23 +/- is a winning approximation.

Picking the method that works for you is important, because you have to balance the need for speed with your level of satisfaction with an answer before you can move on without lingering second thoughts. The know your primes approach is a great method to find that balance.

 

[NN88]

Following SN2 schedule, why does he want you to skip every third question?

 

[Temperature101]

Following SN2 schedule, why does he want you to skip every third question?

I am assuming you are talking about EK 1001... Because they figure out that people won't have the time to do all these questions. I do most of them on subjects or chapters that I got <70%.

 

[Sub Rosa]

Am I an idiot, or was TBR 5 PS totally unreasonable?

 

[Temperature101]

Am I an idiot, or was TBR 5 PS totally unreasonable?

What's your score?

 

[Sub Rosa]

What's your score?

9, one question away from a 10. I ran out of time with a full passage left and had to guess on the ENTIRE thing. Needless to say, I missed every question in the passage. 😳 👎

Addendum: I'm referring to the old FL exams, not the chapter sections.

 

[Temperature101]

9, one question away from a 10. I ran out of time with a full passage left and had to guess on the ENTIRE thing. Needless to say, I missed every question in the passage. 😳 👎

Addendum: I'm referring to the old FL exams, not the chapter sections.

That's not too bad... I heard some of the TBR FLs are hard. What's your overall score?

 

[Sub Rosa]

That's not too bad... I heard some of the TBR FLs are hard. What's your overall score?

I haven't post-gamed the other sections yet, I'll let yas know when I do. I'll also post my other FL scores and repost my TBR sectional scores soon if anyone's interested in seeing how ya stack up.

 

[Temperature101]

I haven't post-gamed the other sections yet, I'll let yas know when I do. I'll also post my other FL scores and repost my TBR sectional scores soon if anyone's interested in seeing how ya stack up.

Ok...

 

[Temperature101]

I am 3/4 done with my content review and I would like to know where I stand as far as the AAMC FL. I have AAMC 6 on pdf...Should I take it next week as my first FL to see where I stand even if I am not completely done with my content review?

 

[chem4ever]

I am 3/4 done with my content review and I would like to know where I stand as far as the AAMC FL. I have AAMC 6 on pdf...Should I take it next week as my first FL to see where I stand even if I am not completely done with my content review?

I'm at about the same place as you. I will be starting FL's twice weekly next week. It depends on how many FL's you have. I'm going to start with EK's paper exam.

 

[Pokemon88]

Hey Guys, I was wondering when you sign up for TBR FL's only do they send you a confirmation that they received Money orders? I emailed them I never got any reply back, I asked them to start my access to FL in April, but I was thinking I should still receive a confirmation or something?. Please let me know if you guys have experience with it.

 

[fritolays08]

Studying using the BR books counts as both content review and doing practice problems since each section has a practice section, right? I just want to make sure that I'm not just doing content review only

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

How are ya'll splitting up the phases in physics?

And is it just me, or are the 25 review questions much easier than the subsequent passages?

The review questions are meant to be a little more striaght forward than the practice exam questions, but not necessarily easier. I assume you know the material well. After practice with the stranger questions, you'll start getting better. Hopefully your trend will be a good amount of growth over their practice exams.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Do you know what happens when you ask a question based on something that has never been covered?

Yes, the student gets exposed to the material. Then when a similar question appears on a later passage they do better on it because they actively thought about the concept when doing the first question rather than passively reading about it in the text.

Physics book 2 sections 8-10 need to rewritten. As an example, the review section of lenses and mirrors is almost entirely computation. The passage section of lenses and mirrors is almost entirely conceptual. "Learning while testing" doesn't work when there is only 1 question on a new concept. Teach and then test, don't combine the two.

Out of the 25 questions in the review section for Light and Optics, 3 are pure calculations, seven show multiple solutions (one based on visualization and one based on calculation), and the remaining 15 are conceptual. I think for an audiance filled with the full range of learning styles, this is a very good balance.

Your "teach and then test" comment is an interesting one I'd like to address. Having taught MCAT review for a while, I think one of the the biggest study plan mistakes people make is basing their review on the sentence you just posted. I agree that there should be some review, but it's on questions where you actively look at the material and thereby do your best learning. Light review followed by seeing a similar question three or four times (worded differently each time) is the best way to get ready for a question on the MCAT. People put too much emphasis on getting all of their reading done at the expense of not doing enough passages.

edit: And while I'm on the topic, for the love of god stop splitting up single passages across front and back pages.

What version of the physics book are you using? What you are describing doesn't match the latest version I'm using. I'm looking at Physics Book 2 (the latest version) and as far as split passages go (ones that start on a right hand page and finish on the back, making you turn the page to finish) there are none in chapter 6, one in chapter 7, two in chapter 8, none in chapter 9, and none in chapter 10. Out of 50 passages, three fit your description, none of which are in the timed exams.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I think this is the ideal spot to post an updated message about how to get the most out of the BR books. I hope this lends some insights as to how the books were written and how they are best used. The BR books were created with a different idea in mind than any other book available. Each book is the result of input from several highly experienced teachers.

In summary, for a given chapter there is the following sequence:

(1) Outline and/or Important Concepts List
(2) Reading/Review Section (with incorporated questions in most sections)
(3) Sacrificial Passages designed to hammer home Concepts
(4) Practice Passages designed to cover material and develop test skills

To get the most out of the books, you need to keep this in mind as you go through them.

Outline and/or Important Concepts List
Each book does this a little differently, but the idea is to have you run through the concepts in your mind before you start reading. Get an inventory of what you know and see what information can be drudged up before reading about it. This is a good spot to start any chapter notes you plan to take. Have an opening section in your notebook to list what I already recall. By doing this before reading, your reading will be more on the active side.

Reading/Review
For the most part, the MCAT is a recognition test more than a recall test. It is important that as you go through a chapter that you see the big picture and become familiar with the concepts and typical examples. You need to build a glossary of terminology and concepts as you work your way through the chapters. There will be long tables in some chapters, but these are not there to be memorized. Whenever you see a table, you should look for a trend (or trends) and see what variables remained constant. When you see diagrams and pictures, you should think about what variables they relate or what interactions they show. Study for ideas not specifics. Even though some sections may seem heavy on specifics, the goal is to see trends and extract concepts. It is not recommended that you take notes while reading, except for when you do the questions contained within.

Sacrificial Passages designed to hammer home Concepts
This part can be unnerving. Most of us are so used to being graded on questions that it's hard to fathom that these questions are meant for exposure and not for a grade. But this by far is the most important part of your preparation. People over-emphasize the importantance of recall and underestimate the value of test-taking skills. Many times you can get a right answer by partly knowing the material and applying test-taking logic to eliminate faulty answer choices. That is the purpose of these types of passages in the homework set. We call them sacrificial because they are being sacrificed from the overall pool of practice passages for the purpose of learning (rather than getting a diagnostic score).

You will learn more going over the answer explanations of questions you missed and/or struggled on than anywhere else in your studying. In some instances there will be a passage on something barely addressed in the reading. This can undermine your confidence if you let it. DON'T let it. Keep in mind that the passage and questions were meant to cover the material and teach you how to deal with a passage you might not feel good about. On your actual MCAT, there will be a passage or two that will seem bizarre and from out of the blue. Learning to stay calm and attack questions based on analogies to concepts you know and using POE are critical skills in your preparation. That is what this section is about.

Practice Passages designed to cover material and develop test skills
This is where you put it all together. You inventoried your memory with part 1, refamiliarized with the concepts in part 2, and developed test skills while applying your knowledge in part 3. Now you have to put it all together and do it under timed conditions while on occassion getting a question from a completely different chapter (to keep you on your toes). These passages and questions you'll notice are a little more thought-provoking than the previous ones. This is where you learn to think and apply, use test skills, deduce the main points, and analyze why something happened in a passage. This is the part where post-passage analysis is essential.

___________________________________________________________________________

To get the most out of the books, it helps to have the corresponding mindset that relates to each part. The passages have different purposes, and knowing that can help reduce some frustration. It can also help get you as ready as can be for the exam. Every passage has a purpose. Some are meant to mimick the MCAT while others are meant to teach a concept or strategy. When people sometimes complain that some passages are not like the MCAT, our answer is "exactly!" Not all passages are meant to feel like the actual MCAT. Most are, but some are designed to expose you to a concept or strategy.

To get the most out of BR materials, read the answer explanations thoroughly. If there is a concept or test taking trick you feel uneasy about, look back at the text and read about it. We encourage our students to look at passages and questions from as many other sources as you can to confirm for yourself that BR techniques are universally applicable. There's nothing like trying a question from another source that everyone says is really hard and then blowing it away using a BR trick that gets you the answer in 15 to 20 seconds. That builds confidence, which is essential as test day nears.

DO NOT get discouraged by your BR scores. The books are designed with difficult questions so that (1) people are forced to read answer explanations (where there is often a test taking skill addressed) and (2) people learn to think about mutliple concepts at the same time. If you are getting around 60% on the homework, you are cruising along in the 10 area (generally speaking). As long as you keep it up and learn from your mistakes, then you are tracking for a double digit score in that section.

I know this doesn't address everything, but hopefully it's a start.

The one last thing I want to add is that for all the reasons in the world, get a current version of the physics and organic chemistry books. Current for physics is October 2010 or later and for organic chemistry it's March 2012 or later. There are enough floating around that there's no reason to use the older versions if you opt to buy them used. I personally get so frustrated to read a complaint about a book by someone who is using an outdated version (or worse yet, a stolen pdf file of an outdated version that is lacking critical pages). [On-to-soapbox]Almost everyone at SDN is honest, but for the very few of you who are using an illegal 2009 pdf version of the books, you have no right whatsoever to complain about anything[Off-of-soapbox]. I do apologize for that rant, and it was not aimed at anyone in this thread. It was inspired by a poster from last summer in the Q&A section.

 

[Temperature101]

TBR
Format:
chapter: 1st 1/3, 2nd 1/3, last 1/3

Oganic Chemistry:
1: 81%-12, 70%-10
2: 71%-11, 74%-11
3: 75%-11, 68%-10
4: 70%-10, 77%-11
5: 79%-12, 78%-12
6: 78%-12, 53%-8
7: 72%-11, 53%-8
8: 76%-11, 79%-11

Physics:
1: 62%- 9, 67%-10
2: 71%-11, 62%-9
3: 76%-11, 81%-12
4: 44%- 7, 65%-10
5: 72%-11, 55%-8
6: 82%-12, 81%-12
7: 61%- 9, 71%-11
8: 71%-11, 62%-9
9: 68%-10, 62%-9
10: 61%-9, 67%-10

General Chemistry:
1: 78%-12, 70%-10
2: 84%-12, 56%-8
3: 68%-10, 53%-8
4: 83%-12, 81%-12
5: 71%-11, 58%-9
6: 78%-12, 69%-10
7: 78%-12, 78%-12
8: 74%11, 68%-10
9: 63%-9, 74%-11
10: 69%10, 76%-11

Biology:
1: 45%-7 , 67%-10
2: 50%-7, 59%-9
3: 76%-11, 54%-8
4: 66%-10 76%-11
5: 70%-10, 76%-11
6: 69%-10, 55%-8
7: 67%-10, 33%-5
8: 48%-7, 54%-8
9: 62%-9, 53%-8
10: 66%-10, 44%-7


TPRH--ICC VR: 30 passages: 53% (6)...
TPR Verbal Reasoning & Writing Review: 79/143 = 55% (6)

EK 101 VR:
Test 1 : 29/40 = 9
Test 2 : 27/40 = 8

As of today (4/24/13), I will stop posting more scores and concentrate on reviewing chapters that I have profound weaknesses.. ie any chapters I average below 65% or chapters in which there is a huge gap (3+ points) in my scores between phase 1 and phase 2. Then I will attack phase 3 and do TPRH-SW.

 

[katniss09]

How accurate are the score conversions for the passages at the end of each section? For example, I just finished the hydrocarbon section in orgo and got a 75%...according to the scale that correlates roughly with an 11?

 

[fritolays08]

.

 

[invissideways]

Quick question everyone - is buying a used 2012 TBR Orgo book good enough, or does it specifically have to be after "March 2012?" Rephrased another way - if I buy a used 2012 version, is it guaranteed to be the most up to date? Or were there ones published in February and I need to look for specifically March and later?

Thanks!

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Quick question everyone - is buying a used 2012 TBR Orgo book good enough, or does it specifically have to be after "March 2012?" Rephrased another way - if I buy a used 2012 version, is it guaranteed to be the most up to date? Or were there ones published in February and I need to look for specifically March and later?

Thanks!

The last older version and the first newer version are both copyright 2012, so the year won't help. The best way to tell is to ask the seller if the passages are broken into three separate partial-exams (that's the current version) or a 100-question workset (that's the older version).

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Temperature101, you seem to be tracking well in the sciences and look like a 10/11/12 (depending on the exam you get), so that's great. But that's not the reason I want to post. I just want to say that I've been particularly impressed by a couple of really positive posts you've made in threads that were taking a negative turn. Its positivity like that, that will make you do superb in your interviews. Thanks for adding your perspective.

 

[Temperature101]

Temperature101, you seem to be tracking well in the sciences and look like a 10/11/12 (depending on the exam you get), so that's great. But that's not the reason I want to post. I just want to say that I've been particularly impressed by a couple of really positive posts you've made in threads that were taking a negative turn. Its positivity like that, that will make you do superb in your interviews. Thanks for adding your perspective.

Thanks....